Web Design

Web Design has many different aspects, and even different programming languages and syntax!! java script, html, xml, css, php, mySQL, asp, flash, etc.... This community allows all that speak these different languages to come togethor to speak one language. ENGLISH.

Like with anything involving technique, coupled with artistic contribution, there is always the occurence in differences of opinion. The subjective nature of art forms involving personal creation and artistic innovation, is often cause for argument as personal preferences differ amongst people. Web Design Discussions are filled with heated debates and often people become irate. Differences in technical structure, and coding, as well as the search engine wars, and ever growing array of third party applications and varying computer platforms sets quite a stage for the World Wide Web as the momentum of technology propels the rate of evolution along at an exponential speed.

Quality Resources for Web Designers:

PLEASE only add WEB DESIGN RELATED links that contain quality content and valuable information.

 Factor when determining if a website is good such as;

• Function is what I believe to be the most important!
  • Readability: If you can not read what on the site, then content does you no good. Again if you can not read what is written on the page, you have wasted your time because your visitors WILL NOT read it. Most do not now that they can highlight it to read it, but if your goal is to hide the text then good job.
  • Links: If you can't find the links or if they are not working the content does you no good. The link should be easy to find and visitor should now that they are. A visitor does not want to look for the link to the content. If you want it to look cool uses clear graphic text, with alt tag and title, in a standard link location. (FYI when using text in an image file try to make the image a "gif" it will make the text easier to read and not blurry"). All links should work and if you have allot of links going to outbound sites check them at least every other month to make sure they are still valid.
  • Load time: If the image files are to large or your server is to slow people will not wait. We are an inpatient society more than 30 seconds is to slow. When designing a site determine if your target visitor has high speed or dial up. In my area the standard is still dial-up in New York -- its high speed.
• Content in the next important, you need to offer your visitor something for visiting such as articles, information, thoughts, pictures, jokes, recipes, products, services, etc. The more content you offer the longer your visitor will stay. Then update it often, if they like the original site content they will come back for more.
• Style is not as important as you would think. However, it all depends on the visitor that you are wanting to attract. Target your style and graphics to the audience. If your target visitor is a football player uses a website theme that would interest a football player. I do always suggest keep it simple. Sometime you can do to much. The old line in women's fashion is before you leave the house remove one accessory. I try to uses the same principals when design a website. I remove one useless graphic at the end.
• HTML Validation: I am personally not a stickler for this. The two most important is function and content to the search engine so you can slide a little on this depending on the amount of competition you have for your keyword placement. Validate it as much as possible is what I suggest, however, if the site functions well with good quality content a few errors are not going to kill you. Also uses CSS sheet when possible.
• Backlinks: Google wants you to have them and they want you to have allot of them .. so what are you going to do but get them. Try to get one way links they are more effective than two way links. Also, when you get a link to your website from another website make sure they uses your full domain name in the link www.domainname.com .... then uses your keyword in the link Example: Web Design Joplin Missouri Also, watch the PR rating of the website that links you the higher the better and try to make the content relavant in some way to your website.
• Search Engine Registration: I have recently learned not to do this. If you can get your link crawled from another website by google from a link .. google will more than likely place you higher than if you submit it and it is a faster process. I have witnessed this with two of my websites. However, if you place the link and you are not picked up with in two weeks, then go ahead a register it. 

Factor's Written by dayzeday 

Mindsay Page Questions & Answers:

• How do I change the look of my mindsay page?
  • You have two simple ways to change the look. First, you can select from a pre-existing template. To select a pre-existing template click the "Blog" on the top of the page, then click "Pick Theme", then simply click "Preview" to see the theme and "Pick" to set it active. Note: If you click on the thumbnail of the theme it will change your theme. There are many themes to choose from, appealing to many interests. There are also "plain" blog templates if you'd prefer an unadorned blog.
  • To make changes to your existing theme click "Blog" on the top of the page, then click "Customize Design". There several elements of your mindsay blog page can be customized, such as background color or image, adding a header image, turning borders - on or off, etc
• Do you have a sample CSS I can uses? Yes...Here is a sample CSS that you can use for your mindsay pages also you will find some banners and other images. Please download these files to your computer and when using them please place them on another server.CHECK OUT!! Dustballs blog on the css, he is one of the owners of the mindsay community and he has some great information here on the css for mindsay what works and what doesn't. Check out BlogThemes also for even more information on CSS 
• Can I put HTML into the editor? Yes, I do this often. Click the html button which is on the bottom row of the tool bar and the last button on the right. Then past in your code where you want it. I do believe you can uses html & java.
• What size image should I uses for a header for my mindsay page? I suggest 750 x 150-250 . Reason is that the standard resolution is still 800x600 and people do not like to scroll. Make it 750 you are optimizing the image for all resolution.
• Is it okay to uses an image for a background? yes, however, make sure that you can read the text. If people can't read it then they will not return.
• What format do I uses when creating images that uses text? the standard is "gif" for images with text and limited color and "jpg" for allot of color such as a photo.

FYI: I am not sure if most people are aware you can copy and html past code into this little editor from your own personal editor. -- Such as when you want to adjust font size setting, title tags, tables and more. Which are not option the editor gives you.

For you newbie web designor her is some standard html codes you can uses to do some different things on your blog that you editor does not give you. simple add the code into the html of the content area.

• When you want a link to open into a new window. Simply added "target="_blank" with in link tag as seen here http://www.thewebsite.com target="_blank">
• If you want to added A page anchor. Simply add this code: <a name="Anchor1">Content to be returned to</a> where you want the anchor to return to and this code for the link to the anchor: <a href="http://www.mindsay.com/wiki/Web+Design#Anchor1">Anchor link text</a>

Other Great Mindsay Wiki Pages of Importants: General Help Page / Wiki Help Page / Wiki Guidelines / Mindsay Page / Web Design Page / Google

Midsay Members willing to assist you in any way possible: (Links take you to the wiki page.. feel free to leave comments. Any one willing to offer assistants do not hesitate to add yourself) - dayzeday / Imcheryl / otacon120